Mexican man sentenced to 6 years in federal prison for trafficking methamphetamine

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A Mexican man, illegally residing in the United States, was sentenced Tuesday in federal court to six years in federal prison following his conviction for trafficking methamphetamine. 

Special agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) conducted this investigation.

After he completes his prison sentence, Juan Carlos Nieblas-Ruelas, 28, will be turned over to ICE custody and placed in removal proceedings.

Nieblas-Ruelas and co-defendant Massiel Segoviano-Fierro, 25, also a Mexican national illegally residing in the United States, were arrested in November 2015. They were charged Nov. 23, 2015, by criminal complaint with conspiracy and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, in Bernalillo Country New Mexico.

The two men were arrested after they attempted to sell about 10 pounds of methamphetamine to an undercover law enforcement agent. 

On Jan. 22, 2016, Nieblas-Ruelas pleaded guilty to a felony information charging him with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. In entering the guilty plea, Nieblas-Ruelas admitted that on Nov. 23, 2015, he provided methamphetamine to Segoviano-Fierro knowing that Segoviano-Fierro intended to sell it to another person. 

On Feb. 22, Segoviano-Fierro pleaded guilty to a similar felony information and admitted that Nov. 23, 2015, in Bernalillo County, he attempted to sell methamphetamine to an individual who unbeknownst to him was an undercover law enforcement agent. Segoviano-Fierro further admitted that he collaborated with Nieblas-Ruelas to obtain about 10 pounds of methamphetamine to sell and distribute in Albuquerque.

At sentencing, Segoviano-Fierro faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. He will also be turned over to ICE and placed in removal proceedings following his term of incarceration.  Segoviano-Fierro remains in custody pending a sentencing hearing.

The New Mexico State Police assisted in this case, which is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David M. Walsh.